OnTap Magazine

the decline, many metrics show that the entire generation is in poor mental health. There has been an observed decline in hobbies in younger generations as well as a decline of in-person interactions. This phenomenon can be attributed to hobbies that involve technology such as gaming and streaming. However, this means that there is more social isolation and more social anxiety. Despite my keen interest in homebrewing, had I not been invited to my first homebrew meeting, the chances of me, a 24-year-old woman walking into a room full of older men talking about beer would be zero. I also find myself wondering if a lot of currently trendy hobbies aren’t merely popular due to the influence of social media? Hobbies like running clubs and rug tufting seem to be the in thing right now, so maybe the missing puzzle piece for homebrew is as simple as a viral TikTok video? I regularly post about my brew days in my university’s microbrewery and do get approached by genuinely interested students on campus. We have seen how powerful social media can be, matcha was very niche, but now there are many Matcha Stores in Cape Town. Another deterrent is the economy; many young adults are working long hours and are simply either doing something to earn themextramoney in their free time, ormany do not want to partake in a hobby that has the potential of leaving their floors sticky. Space is another deterrent. Due to the rising cost of living, young people are more likely to stay in crawl space apartments. A quick Google search shows that a homebrew kit for a 4-litre batch can set you back R200. Compare this to a how many 3 litre beer tower specials you could get at a local pub, and it becomes an economic argument. So, the price point is not that appealing, but the veterans who worked their way up from a small pot to a 60 litre all- in-one system know that brewing can suck you in very quickly. And all-grain brewing tends to work out a lot cheaper per batch. Unfortunately, the popular craft brewing influencers that make short form videos on TikTok tend to use these expensive systems which gives the misconception that brewing is an expensive hobby. More information on how to brew on a budget could be shelled out on platforms that the younger generations use. With a growing push for sustainability and trends like foraging, one would hope to see the eco-hobbyist turn into homebrewers in the foreseeable future. And that is why there is a lot to be excited about.Whilemanyolderhomebrewershave seen the rise and decline of homebrewing due to economic and cultural shifts, the South African homebrewing community is still on the rise. Many clubs are hosting open-to-public brew days and festivals that anyone can attend, so it is possible to have a homebrewing experience without making a monetary investment, simply reach out to a homebrewing club near you and attend a brew day. Many homebrewers are eager to share their beers and brewing experience with anyone willing to listen. The passion for brewing is palpable and contagious. It is also worth noting that the craft beer industry around the world is largely driven by homebrewers, and while it might be declining elsewhere, in South Africa we seem to be seeing a rapid growth. I attended the BeerEx Africa expo in 2024 and in 2025 and it is surreal to have witnessed the growth of this event from its conception. Homebrewing in South Africa is here to stay. There are many young brewers, like myself, learning the craft through universities and by participating in the annual Intervarsitybrew. Several younger homebrewers bring their children along to family-friendly brew days at family- friendly venues, and as someone that made "wine" for my father when I was younger, I can see how the torch will be passed from one generation to the next. So, I have fallen in love with brewing, not just for the end-product but for the reward of making something tangibly delicious. I enjoy the company that brewing has introduced me too, a community of “evil” geniuses that push the limits of traditional beer styles. It is a passion I can share with my community, after all, there’s nothing like bringing a beer you made with love, to a braai and sharing yeast and spent grains with baker friends. Anyone can start small, join an enthusiastic community and learn the art of making beer. On-Tap Magazine, 132 x 185 mm, Image Beer/Glass, CC-en46-AZ504 08/25 krones.com drinktec 2025 Shaping the future together It’s important to look beyond the short term, which is why Krones is working on “Solutions beyond tomorrow”. Be it beverage and food production lines, digital services or plastics recycling: Krones’ innovative solutions combine superior performance with sustainability.